Quilting can be traced back as far as the early 1600s in the United States. With each passing century, talented quilters and collective ethnic groups influenced quilt types, styles, and patterns.

The original purpose of a quilt was to tell the story of American culture at that time, as well as the “story of its maker.” Besides being a work of art, quilts are truly symbolic of a story woven through fabric in various textures and patterns.

Quilting in American culture tells an individual story. It also celebrates the handiwork of historical women in the US.

Early quilting served as a creative outlet for women of centuries past who did not have a voice:

When the first colonists came to America in the early 1600s, they brought European styles and culture with them.

Early settlers primarily used cheap woven blankets; quilts were considered a costly luxury since they were often hand-made from fine materials.

Colonies grew into cities, and a class of wealthy trades people emerged that imported fine fabrics from England.

Source: myvintagevows.blogspot.com

The country expanded greatly in the 1800s with various historical events that affected quilt making in the US.

Pioneer women moved west and continued to use quilts as family bedding or souvenirs from their previous homes. Signature quilts began to emerge and were passed along within friend and family circles.

From 1840 to 1860, quilts were used to honor famous figures and make political statements prior to the Civil War.

Women also quilted to raise money in raffles that supported pre-war abolition.

Quilting buzz increased in women’s circles when the Civil War started in 1861.

As men left home for war, women bonded together in what were called “quilting bees.” Women also used these quilting circles to make clothes, bedding, and bandages for soldiers. Quilts were sold to raise money for military supplies. During the Victorian period following the Civil War, prosperous women of the late 1800s crafted even more elaborate quilts—incorporating ribbon, lace, ruffles, and fringe.

Quilt Styles

A number of 1800s quilt patterns were inspired by the political climate of the time, including Underground Railroad, Whig’s Defeat, and Log Cabin quilts.

Album quilts were circulated as popular friendship gifts made with appliqué; complex appliqué quilts were a sign of affluence.

Victorian inspired quilts of the late 1800s were more fragile and delicate. These quilts were commonly used as impractical parlor ornaments instead of bedding.

As the industrial society emerged in the 1920s, the American economy boomed for a time.

The role of women changed as women now had the right to vote.

Homes were updated with more modern appliances, like washing machines, as well as telephones and electricity.

Amidst such drastic changes in American culture, quilters clung to their roots—quilts were primarily made using throwback patterns in authentic 1800s styles.

Quilting circles held strong throughout the Great Depression

As handmade bedding was a necessity during such hard times. When women went to work as men were shipped off to World War II, quilting interest waned for a time. Post-World War II, quilting experienced a revival in the 1950s and 60s. Fabric was inexpensive and diverse, and quilting brought with it a sense of community. Quilting reemerged as artwork in the 1990s with elaborate hand-sewn quilts crafted to mimic artists like Van Gogh, Monet, and Chagall.

Quilt Styles

Quilts in the early 1900s were primarily made using pastel fabric with scalloped edges, a contrast to the hard lines and bold colors in quilts from the late 1800s.

Patriotic quilts surged in popularity in the 1970s.

Quilts of the 1980s and 1990s were normally made from 100% cotton and treated as wall art.

As a reflection of our nation’s history, quilts matter.

Many historians consider quilts to be the “lens of history, art, and society.” Quilts can be used as a practical item of bedding, or they can be hung on a wall as a 2D work of art. Quilt artist Lynne Bassett explains how quilts can bring history alive, “Since quilts were made—not by artisans—but by ordinary women whose lives they closely reflect, they are fonts of information about the people and periods they represent.”

Quilting culture has changed drastically from the early days of America.

Quilt types and styles provide different aesthetics. Quilting can also be niche to a particular state, region, or ethnic group:

African-American

Early African-American quilting was a tradition that merged multiple textiles from Central America, the Caribbean, and the southern US, as both slaves and fabrics were traded in these areas. African-American quilts focused on religious and cultural quilt patterns. African-American quilting was unique since it incorporated textile weaving within quilt construction.

Amish

Amish quilting roots can be traced back to early Anabaptists that immigrated to the United States and Canada from Switzerland and Germany more than 250 years ago. Early Amish quilts were constructed as wholecloth using solid colors in 1849; patterned quilts were introduced in the 1870s. Within the unified Amish religion, Amish women used quilting as an individual means of self-expression. Today, Amish in the US continue to generate a significant income from authentic made Amish quilts sold as collector’s items.

Hawaiian

Hawaiian quilts are unique and beautiful as they are inspired by the tropics. Hawaiian quilting is a distinct quilting style that focuses on intricate patterns and bold design as a form of artistic expression. The quilting culture in Hawaii is a leisurely pastime; many hand-sewn quilts have detailed appliqué. As such, a full sized authentic Hawaiian quilt could take months to design, construct, and finish.

Native American

Native American quilting is considered an expressive art form within their communities. Native American quilt making merges creativity and cultural heritage from traditions passed down through multiple generations. Native Americans first began quilting as the craft was learned from early European Americans. Once Native Americans mastered the art form, quilts were used as bedding, for insulation, and as important tokens in tribal ceremonies. Native American quilts are made with spiritually-inspired colors and patterns that vary by tribe or clan.

Other popular quilt styles may include:

Baltimore Album Quilt

Patchwork Quilt

Constructed by sewing fabric patches together in a traditional quilt pattern.

Cathedral Window Quilt

Inspired by the majestic shapes and patterns of a stained glass Cathedral window.

Photo Memory Quilt

Similar to a memory quilt, photos can be transferred to fabric to create a unique quilt in honor of a friend or family member.

Crazy Quilt

A newer quilting trend that is full of character; a crazy quilt uses an out-of-the-box patchwork design with many patterns and colors to create a purposely chaotic final product.

Pinwheela Block Quilt

The ever-popular Pinwheel Block pattern can be traced back to the late 1800s; the quilt is arranged in four different triangles to mimic a pinwheel toy.

European Quilt

European quilt designs inspired early American quilts and may include Italian, British, and Provencal quilt patterns.

Rag Quilt

A modern quilting trend that uses an easy-to-make pattern where quilt edges are “ragged” or frayed at the ends.

Memory Quilt

A quilting pattern used to celebrate the life of a loved one, an important event, or family history.

Scrap Quilt

A standard quilt pattern constructed from leftover fabric scraps.

basic options in quilting

Among all the different types and styles of quilts, there are two basic options in quilt construction: hand-quilting or machine quilting. Some quilters use a combination of the two, while others stick with their preferred method of construction.

A quilt is made of the top, middle, and backing. Each layer must be assembled before a quilt can be put together. The process of sewing a quilt into three layers is called quilting; the final step in the process, binding, joins all of the layers together around the border of the quilt.

hand-quilting

Hand-quilting is traditional and requires a quilt to be sewn entirely by hand. Historical quilts are hand-sewn and often display beautiful, intricate craftsmanship. For this reason alone, some quilters choose to demonstrate their skill with exclusive hand-sewing, inspired by early quilting tradition.

machine quilting

To save time and provide greater diversity in patterning, machine quilting using a long arm machine as a secondary option. Most quilts found at quilt shows today are machine quilted in elaborate designs that cannot be done by hand.

When it comes to machine or hand-quilting, the choice is yours. Give both methods a try to see where your creativity flourishes.

Top 15 Quilting TutorialsBeginner, Intermediate, and Advanced

If you’re itching to get started on your own quilting creation, here are the best tutorials available based on skill level:

5 Tutorials for Beginner Quilters

Quilting Made Simple by Diary of a Quilter

Learn how to make a quilt from beginning to end—including fabric selection, patterns, construction, and binding.

Make a Dot to Dot Quilt – Intermediate Block Series

Alison’s Scrap Quilt Tutorial

A scrap quilt is a fun project for an intermediate quilter to make use of extra fabric scraps on hand in varying sizes.

5 Tutorials for Intermediate Quilters

Free Motion Quilting Tutorial

This motion quilt is both elaborate and beautiful—perfect for an advanced quilter looking for a challenge.

The Batik Braid Quilt

The Batik Braid Quilt may be considered intermediate to advanced; the total project is estimated to take longer than a weekend when sewn by machine.

Cathedral Window Quilt Using the Circle Magic Ruler

The Cathedral Window quilt is striking and complex; the video tutorial breaks down the advanced construction process for you.

Cathedral Window Pillow Pattern

If you’ve mastered the basic quilt, take on a new challenge in the advanced Cathedral Window quilted pillow, machine and hand-sewn.

Summer Lily Advanced Pattern

This breathtaking quilt pattern is truly a work of art, suitable for a skilled quilter. The free pattern template is available for download.

Quilting in the Modern TimesQuilting as a craft is still going strong

Quilting may have historical roots, but the convenience of the Internet now brings modern quilters together—on blogs, in forums, and via YouTube channels. Quilting statistics show that:

The current quilting industry is valued at $3.6 billion. Due to the continued popularity of quilting in the US, National Quilting Day was founded in 1991 by the National Quilting Association as the third Saturday in March.

Dedicated quilters are willing to invest in their craft. In 2010 alone, quilters spent an average of $219 on their projects. 6.2% of quilters are responsible for 69% of all spending.

Today, there are over 21 million quilters in America.

While many quilters still prefer to shop in person at brick-and-mortar stores, a growing number of quilters are making purchases online. E-commerce quilting websites and specialty quilting blogs make purchasing supplies and patterns easier than ever before

brick-and-mortar stores

Quilters that prefer brick-and-mortar stores cite reasons like being able to touch and feel fabrics and requesting personal help from a sales associate.

brick-and-mortar stores

Quilters that prefer brick-and-mortar stores cite reasons like being able to touch and feel fabrics and requesting personal help from a sales associate.

Breakdown

Online quilting communities make learning the craft almost effortless.

Newbie quilters are encouraged to plug in by:

Reading (or writing) sewing blogs

Downloading tutorials and patterns

Discussing on sewing and quilting forums

And even using iPad and iPhone apps to track fabric, patterns, and quilting ideas in progress.

Specifically, an iPhone app like Fabric Stash can be used by seamstresses, quilters, and designers to manage project lists, match old and new fabrics, search for specific fabrics, and ultimately avoid carrying multiple fabric samples around while shopping.

Quilting evolution has moved from hand-sewing to machine sewing to technological quilt management.

Computerized quilting software is now available for as little as $2,995 to attach to a regular, mid-arm, or long-arm sewing machine. Scanned images can be used for custom pattern design; pattern templates can be downloaded from websites or via email.

While a “quilting robot” may have once sounded like a technology of the future, motorized quilters controlled by a home PC can be synced with quilting software to digitize patterns as you quilt. For quilters that have difficulty following a line or have experienced physical discomfort after hours of sewing, a quilting robot attachment is a dream come true.

Higher-end computerized quilting machines may cost closer to $10,000 with a wide range of features to sweeten the deal. A professional computerized quilter integrates custom software controlled on a touchscreen tablet with a motorized quilting machine. Quilting design and operation can be managed from a single touchscreen; quilt designs can be altered or moved to a new position by dragging a pattern across the screen. Quilt speed and stitching can be set per inch, and new quilt borders can be defined in alternate shapes, such as stars, triangles, and rectangles.

Today’s quilting world has a little something for everyone.

Whether you are drawn to more authentic hand-quilting, popular machine quilting, or even tech-forward computerized quilting, the options are endless.

Use traditional quilting history to inspire your next project.

Plug into an online community to learn new tricks and patterns.

And never forget that your next quilt is part of America’s history.

Sources:

“Listening to Herstory.” depts.ttu.edu.
“AFRICAN AMERICAN QUILTING TRADITIONS.” xroads.virginia.edu.
“Celebrate Quilting! The History & Statistics of Quilting on Craftsy.” craftsy.com
“The Online World of Quilting.” thequiltpatternshoppe.com